Just a cotton-pickin’ minute…

This year’s Salsa en la Calle – that’s Salsa in the Street for you non-initiated, features 5 of the Northwest’s hottest salsa bands. Over the next few days, I’ll be giving you a brief profile of each group. So, in no particular order (well, okay, let’s make it alphabetical, just to avoid hurt feelings), let’s start with one of my favorites…

Afincando makes a return visit to Salsa en la Calle, Sunday August 29th.

Afincando
A regular attraction at Portland’s Mambo Lounge, Afincando is one of the area’s most popular salsa bands. And while the name Afincando often translates to “cotton picker,” the name also means “Groove,” which is exactly what happens every time they take the stage. Small wonder that the band enjoys such a huge and loyal following. In fact, this year’s visit to Salsa en la Calle marks a return engagement for the group.

Originating in the basement of band leader Giovanni Cruz‘ basement, the band has risen steadily establishing their own unique brand of New York style salsa. As Giovanni explains, “We spent over a year in my basement, just playing around with our sound…working to get our rhythm section tight.” To say they have succeeded is a huge understatement. Some of the band’s major musical influences include Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the Ray Barreto Orchestra, and Johnny Polanco y Sun Conjunto Amistad out of Los Angeles.

Members of the band include some of Portland’s top vocal and musical talent, including local favorite Oscar Herrera, Christine Cruz, Edgardo Perez and Zapoura Calvert. Their hot horn section includes local Jazz sensations Ben Medler and Farnell Newton. Keyboardist Michelle Medler, Sam Lett and Justin Smith round out the group. (You can beat me with a maraca if  I’ve left anyone out.)

If you love great salsa or simply love to dance – I think you will agree, Afincando is definitely worth the price of admission.

More bands to come. So as they say in the music business, “Stay tuned.”